Team

Michael Schneider

CEO & Co - Founder

Our founder Michael Schneider is an Australia with Russian background. Born in the former USSR, migrated to Australia with his parents at the age of 16, in 1988. Travelled all over Russia extensively since 2001, got hooked and fell in love with remote regions of Russia, destinations like Baikal, Kamchatka, Altai and yakutia. In 2006 Michael headed the first group of travellers, on a mission to share his passion. Today he helps people discover Russia and experience genuine life enriching travel.

Anna Murzina

Co-founder - Product Developer

Originally from Siberia, Russia. These days Anna is heading the team in the Sydney head office. Being passionate for attention to detail, Anna took the role of a product developer at 56th Parallel. On a daily basis adding her passion and pride for her motherland, to every detail when designing a tour. Being a perfectionist, she drives us crazy, the hardest working boss we know.

Misha Kravtsov

Destination expert - St Petersburg

A team member since 2010, an expert on hospitality in St. Petersburg, who often creates miracles that seem impossible, like securing the last Mariinsky theatre tickets to a sold out show. Clients praise his friendly, caring company and attention to detail.

Polina Kosheleva

Moscow guide

Born and raised in Moscow, Polina graduated from Moscow State University. Traveller and a foodie she is always on top of the latest trends in the city! ​”Being a guide I rediscover myself that Moscow is a fantastic city worth visiting a million times! It also encourages me to learn more about its history and citizens, and I love good stories!”

Dasha Shevtsova

Guide - Kamchatka

Born in Kamchatka, Dasha is passionately sharing her love of one of the most unique destinations on earth. “My favourite place in Kamchatka is Kuril Lake, the emotion when you stand 2 meters from a family of brown bears, mother and cubs, watching them interact, play and feed on wild salmon. It’s just jaw-dropping. Also, I love ascending Avachinsky volcano, it is like strolling among the clouds, incredible to be standing on the top with that alive feeling”.

Denis Budkov

Guide, pro-photographer, Kamchatka

Born in Kamchatka in 1980, Denis got engaged in the tourism industry in the region when he was 15 y.o. Tourism propelled Denis to create a livelihood by a photography as it is impossible to remain indifferent to the incredible beauty of Kamchatka. For this reason the camera is his companion at all times, his mission is to share the beauty of his fatherland with everyone interested. Beeing a member of National Geographic and our close friend, Denis coordinates our Kamchatka photo tours and shares his love for landscape photography.

Misha Rudrastyh

Website Technical Support

The ‘yes I can’ man, the online magician and the go-to man when it comes to technical support at 56th parallel. Misha has been instrumental in creating and supporting the tools necessary for 56th parallel to thrive online. A guru website developer. Misha managed to help us evolve online and create a better experience for our visitors.